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en-usEngadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronicsCopyright 2018 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.https://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/01/report-ghost-games-suffers-layoffs-need-for-speed-game-put-on/https://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/01/report-ghost-games-suffers-layoffs-need-for-speed-game-put-on/https://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/01/report-ghost-games-suffers-layoffs-need-for-speed-game-put-on/#comments

Need for Speed: Rivals developer Ghost Games has suffered layoffs in its UK office and ceased development on an unannounced Need for Speed project, according to a report by Polygon. The report states that Electronic Arts dismissed contract workers earlier this week and presented full-time staff members with a choice: leave and take compensation, or help Dead Space series developer Visceral Games with "Havana," a rumored Battlefield title said to be planned for the end of the year.

If true, these layoffs follow Criterion Games' downsizing in September, which resulted in around 60 of its staff members working at Ghost Games. Criterion Studio Director Fiona Sperry described that exchange as a voluntary move rather than a choice handed down by EA. Sparrow and Criterion Vice President Alex Ward then left Criterion in January, noting plans on Twitter to create studio of their own.

Blockbuster UK is likely to follow in the footsteps of the recently defunct US arm, after administrators announced 62 further store closures, with 427 employees laid off as a result. The DVD and game rental chain entered administration (a.k.a. bankruptcy) again earlier this year, and insolvency specialist Moorfields Corporate Recovery is struggling to find a buyer for what's left of the once major presence on the UK high street.

"Unfortunately we have still not received any acceptable offers," reads Moorfields' statement. "So as a result we may be forced to close the remaining 91 stores affecting 808 employees."

Blockbuster UK's tumultuous year, which has seen the company go into administration twice, over 400 stores close, and thousands of employees lose their jobs, will likely end with it finally being laid to rest. The store's demise leaves the country's high street games retail in a perilous state, with major players GAME and HMV still recovering from their own financial struggles from the year before.

Blitz Games Studios announced it has ceased trading after failing to secure funds to sustain business. The company, founded in 1990 by pioneering British twins Andrew and Philip Oliver, laid off 175 staff members today, the vast majority of the studio's workforce.

According to this morning's statement, senior management will form a new company to house two of Blitz's current projects, noted as being financially self-sustaining. The new company is expected to re-recruit 50 of the 175 employees laid off today. Sniper Elite dev Rebellion is also in "close talks" with management to hire those still employed at Blitz.

Blitz Games Studios worked mainly on licensed titles across its 23 years, most notably in recent times on Epic Mickey 2 on Vita, The Biggest Loser games, and Puss in Boots. AsCVG notes, Blitz was well known for its active role in the UK indie community, and for hiring and training young talent. Last year the studio tried to resurrect the Dizzy series on Kickstarter, but the campaign failed to gain anywhere near the traction required to fund it.

The deluge of bad news isn't over for UK retailer HMV, with 37 more stores confirmed to be closing in addition to the 66 announced earlier this month. These further closures are resulting in 464 lost jobs, making a post-administrative total of at least 1,454 layoffs.

HMV, one of the UK's most prominent high street sellers of games, went into administration last month after failing to acquire $483 million to finance debts. Restructuring company Hilco then took on the retailer's debt. This latest round of store closures means HMV's UK high street arm will be cut by almost half to 116 stores in four to six weeks' time.
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closureshmvlayoffsukWed, 20 Feb 2013 11:00:00 -050011|20469293https://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/hmv-facing-66-store-closures-930-layoffs/https://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/hmv-facing-66-store-closures-930-layoffs/https://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/07/hmv-facing-66-store-closures-930-layoffs/#comments

HMV, a multimedia chain and one of the UK's top high street game retailers, is closing 66 of its 220 stores, with 930 employees losing their jobs as a result. Deloitte, the company's administrators, said the closures should occur within the next one to two months.

"This step has been taken in order to enhance the prospects of securing the business' future as a going concern," said Joint Administrator Nick Edwards. "We continue to receive strong support from staff and are extremely grateful to them for their commitment during an understandably difficult period. All other key stakeholders remain very supportive and I continue to be hopeful of securing a future for the restructured business."

HMV also posted a statement on its Facebook page this morning, echoing Deloitte by saying the closures give the retailer the best chance possible of a viable future on the high street:

"As you may be aware, a number of our stores in the UK have been earmarked for closure. This decision has not been taken lightly and, though very sad and regrettable, it is necessary to give HMV the best possible chance of emerging from administration and having a future on the high street. We'd like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of affected colleagues, who continue to work with great passion and dedication, and this decision in no way reflects on their considerable efforts on behalf of HMV. We also sincerely thank our customers in these locations for their valued support over many years, who we hope will continue to shop at HMV."

HMV entered administration in January after failing to secure $483 million for debt financing. Hilco, a British restructuring company, subsequently took on the debt and is expected to take over the company. HMV's struggles have headlined a tough 2013 so far for British games retail, with Play.com closing its retail operations and Blockbuster UK also entering administration.
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closuresdeloittegreat-britainhilcohmvlayoffsukThu, 07 Feb 2013 09:00:00 -050011|20451984https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/report-hmv-to-be-saved-as-restructurer-hilco-acquires-debt/https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/report-hmv-to-be-saved-as-restructurer-hilco-acquires-debt/https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/report-hmv-to-be-saved-as-restructurer-hilco-acquires-debt/#comments

Business restructuring company Hilco is set to acquire HMV after reportedly taking control of the struggling British retailer's debt . According to the Financial Times, people familiar with the situation report Hilco took on the debt today, estimated three months ago to be around $279 million. If the reports are accurate, Hilco, already appointed yesterday as advisors to administrators Deloitte, have effective control of the ailing company.

HMV went into administration last week after failing to secure $483 million in additional financing against debt, leaving the company in need of a buyer, with around 4350 jobs in the balance. HMV's troubles headline a sorry month for British game retail after Play.com announced the closure of its retail arm, and Blockbuster UK also went bust, with 160 of its stores being closed as it too seeks a buyer.
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administrationbankruptcybuyouthilcohmvlayoffsukTue, 22 Jan 2013 09:30:00 -050011|20434936https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/codemasters-restructuring/https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/codemasters-restructuring/https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/codemasters-restructuring/#comments

Grid and Dirt developer Codemasters is consulting "affected employees" as part of a restructuring process, with 80 people reportedly being laid off as a result. A "strong source" told GamesIndustry International the figure, saying the majority of those layoffs are being made at the company's global headquarters in Southam, England.

A Codemasters spokesperson told us there is no confirmed number of affected employees, referring to numbers reported elsewhere as "speculative." Codemasters' official statement says the restructuring is "not companywide," and that the process isn't expected to affect development of "core console and PC titles" like Grid 2 and this year's Formula One game.

Codemasters' official statement reads:

"As the Company realigns its operations to focus on areas of increased strategic importance and decrease resources in areas that are not delivering value for the business, the Company has proposed the restructure of certain aspects within its digital development and publishing units in line with future product strategy. As a result of the proposed restructure, the Company has therefore entered into a period of collective consultation with the affected employees. The restructure is not companywide and is not anticipated to impact the development of its core console and PC titles such as Grid 2 or its annual Formula One title."

Update: HMV confirmed it's filing notice to appoint Deloitte as administrators to the company. As the BBC reports, HMV is suspending trading on the London Stock Exchange from Tuesday, January 15. HMV's 239 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland are to remain open while Deloitte seeks a purchaser. If a new buyer isn't found, around 4350 people will lose their jobs.

UK retailer HMV will reportedly enter administration (i.e. bankruptcy), after it was unable to obtain £300 million ($483M) in additional financing against debt. The Financial Times and Channel 4 both report the struggling brick and mortar franchise will announce the news tomorrow morning, making it the latest casualty to affect the UK games retail market.

GameStop removed itself from the UK retail market in early 2012 to become an "e-commerce only operation."
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administrationbankruptcyhmvlayoffsukMon, 14 Jan 2013 17:15:00 -050011|20428490https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/play-com-closes-retail-operations-over-200-laid-off/https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/play-com-closes-retail-operations-over-200-laid-off/https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/play-com-closes-retail-operations-over-200-laid-off/#comments

Play.com is closing its retail operations in March as it transitions into a marketplace-only website, a move that is resulting in 214 employees losing their jobs. The Jersey-based company, one of the first online retailers to sell video games to the UK, told the BBC around 200 people are keeping their jobs at the new base of operations in Cambridge, England.

"Moving forward we are intending to focus exclusively on our successful marketplace, which is our main business area, and to phase out the direct retail part of our business," Play.com said in a statement.

Rakuten, a Japanese-based online retail company that also owns Buy.com, bought Play.com for $39.3 million in September 2011. However, Play.com suffered when the UK government terminated Low Value Consignment Relief in April 2012. The European Union operation formerly allowed Channel Island retailers to sell low-value exports to the UK without paying Value Added Tax (similar to sales taxes of some US states).

While Play.com is not a games-specialist store, the closure of its retail branch represents another seller of games to the UK struggling with current economics. The country's leading games specialist, GAME, closed almost 300 stores and laid off over 2000 employees when it went into administration last year before being bought by investment company OpCapita. Its major competitor on the high street, multimedia store HMV, continues to struggle as well, posting a loss of £34.7 million in 2012 despite its rival's plight. While today's news isn't nearly as seismic as GAME's troubles of 2012, it represents a concerning way for UK games retail to kick off the new year.
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jerseylayoffsplay.comukWed, 09 Jan 2013 16:30:00 -050011|20423363https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/03/activision-uk-managing-director-peter-hepworth-leaves-company/https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/03/activision-uk-managing-director-peter-hepworth-leaves-company/https://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/03/activision-uk-managing-director-peter-hepworth-leaves-company/#commentsPeter Hepworth has been with Activision in the UK for years now, first answering the call of duty (sorry!) back in 2005. Hepworth would assume various roles during his tenure, starting as CFO of Europe and eventually taking over as UK managing director in August of 2011, the current position he has left vacant today.

Hepworth decided to step down amidst the ongoing layoffs initiated by Activision back in October, layoffs which have only affected the publishing side of its Minneapolis branch so far. Taking over for Hepworth is his predecessor and current VP of sales, Andrew Brown – the individual whom preceded Hepworth. Brown will now oversee the UK territory on an interim basis, until a new managing director is selected.

Sony confirmed this morning that Wipeout developer Sony Liverpool has been shut down. It is currently unknown how many people have lost their jobs. MCV reports that the campus will remain open for various Sony Europe logistic services, but that the studio itself has been terminated as part of Sony's quality review process.

"We have reviewed and assessed all current and planned projects for the short and medium term and have decided to make some changes to our European Studios," reads a Sony statement released to MCV.

"It has been decided that Liverpool Studio should be closed. Liverpool Studio has been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios since the outset of PlayStation, and have contributed greatly to PlayStation over the years. Everyone connected with Liverpool Studio, past and present, can be very proud of their achievements."

Sony Liverpool began life as Psygnosis back in 1984, releasing under that name classic games such as Shadow of the Beast and Lemmings. In 1995, the studio created the Wipeout franchise under Sony's ownership, with Wipeout 2048 releasing on the PlayStation Vita earlier this year. It's not known if the studio was working on any future Wipeout games or any other Sony releases.
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britainlayoffsplaystationplaystation-vitaps3sonysony-europesony-liverpoolukvitawipeoutWed, 22 Aug 2012 09:50:00 -040011|20306483https://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/uk-retailer-game-cuts-46-jobs-from-hq/https://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/uk-retailer-game-cuts-46-jobs-from-hq/https://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/uk-retailer-game-cuts-46-jobs-from-hq/#comments

"Our proposed new structure will change the way that we operate and will enable us to be significantly more efficient in our relationships with suppliers and customers," the company told MCV in a statement. "We are giving our full help and support to the colleagues who are affected by these proposed changes."

As of last November, Game had 1,275 stores in Europe and Australia, but the company is seeking to sell off its international business (you can probably guess who the rumored buyer is). The collapse of Game would impact the overall games industry, as both EA and Take-Two saw fit to mention its problems would impact their sales during both publisher's third quarter financial calls.
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britaingamelayoffsukTue, 07 Feb 2012 08:30:00 -050011|20165965https://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/tiga-uk-brain-drain-sees-nearly-half-of-laid-off-devs-leaving/https://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/tiga-uk-brain-drain-sees-nearly-half-of-laid-off-devs-leaving/https://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/tiga-uk-brain-drain-sees-nearly-half-of-laid-off-devs-leaving/#comments

Britain's developer workforce has fallen 10 percent since 2008, and 41 percent of studio employees laid off between 2009 and 2011 have relocated out of the country, UK-games trade association TIGA reports. TIGA is publishing a survey from Games Investor Consulting that covers three-fourths of the UK games industry and warns of a brain drain in the UK.

Bizarre Creations, a Liverpool studio that closed in 2010, saw one-third of its former employees leave the UK for new jobs in the games industry, according to the report. It also claims that countries such as Canada can entice UK talent because they benefit from tax breaks that reduce the cost of game development. The UK currently doesn't have comparable tax breaks, but "the video games industry is exactly the kind of sector that the Government should be supporting to help rebalance the UK economy," TIGA CEO Richard Wilson says.
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bizarrebizarre-creationsbrain-drainbritainlayoffsmacmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3tigaukxboxThu, 19 Jan 2012 23:00:00 -050011|20152343https://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/ea-bright-light-in-process-of-closure/https://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/ea-bright-light-in-process-of-closure/https://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/ea-bright-light-in-process-of-closure/#comments

The body count for establishedBritishstudios keeps rising, with EA Bright Light the latest in the crosshairs. EA confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that a "formal consultation process" has begun at the studio. That's a fancy term for the time required under UK law (dependent on number of employees) before the publisher can shut down the studio.

"Employees that are impacted will be considered for positions at other EA Studios including those in the UK," EA said in a statement. "The UK is a vital centre of game development for EA and we intend to maintain a strong presence here."

You know, with the one studio EA officially has left on the island.
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bright-lightbritaineaea-bright-lightelectronic-artsenglandharry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2layoffsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3ukxboxFri, 14 Oct 2011 14:00:00 -040011|20081813https://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/report-activision-reshuffles-execs-in-us-uk-layoffs-result/https://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/report-activision-reshuffles-execs-in-us-uk-layoffs-result/https://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/report-activision-reshuffles-execs-in-us-uk-layoffs-result/#comments

According to "internal memos" acquired by the LA Times, Activision has switched up more of its executive positions, in addition to the change in position for Thomas Tippl, who is currently co-serving CFO/CCO/COO (enough acronyms?). A representative for the company told the LA Times, "We realigned our structure to better reflect our slate and marketing opportunities and direct our resources against the largest, most profitable business segments," without directly confirming a claimed 15 layoffs in the US.

The report claims that, in an email from company head Bobby Kotick, Activision revealed that business head Mike Griffith will now serve as vice chairman and adviser to Kotick, while Thomas Tippl's new job is detailed as "the only executive reporting directly to Kotick" (and overseer of Blizzard head Mike Morhaime). Heading up licensed game properties will now supposedly be Dave Oxford, in addition to Maria Stripp taking over "all internally owned titles besides Call of Duty and Blizzard games" (CTO Steve Pearce and product head Steve Ackrich are temporarily overseeing the CoD franchise).

Further, MCV confirmed with Activision that the corporate reshuffling will result in changes in the publisher's UK division as well, though no specifics are available at this time. The site claims to have independently confirmed UK layoffs have already occurred, and we've reached out to Activision for clarification on both reports.

If you're with Activision or a former employee and would like to speak with Joystiq regarding the company's situation, please feel free to contact us. (Your tips will remain confidential. Please leave a valid email address in case we have further questions. Thank you!)
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activisionactivision-blizzardblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbobby-kotickcall-of-dutycorporatedave-oxfordfinanciallayoffsmike-griffithmike-morhaimereportsteve-ackrichsteve-pearcethomas-tipplukusaWed, 31 Mar 2010 10:31:00 -040011|19421225https://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/uk-retailer-game-closing-many-of-its-stores/https://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/uk-retailer-game-closing-many-of-its-stores/https://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/uk-retailer-game-closing-many-of-its-stores/#comments

With all the layoffs and financial hits game publishers and developers have absorbed over the past year, it should come as no surprise that the retail branch of the industry is hurting too. In a statement to Edge today, UK retailer Game said it would close 12 of its stores, six Gamestations and all 25 of its outlets in the Debenhams chain of department stores.

Though Game qualified it as a small percentage of its 682 stores, it still translates to 247 lost jobs. Here's hoping that those affected will land on their feet.
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gamegamestationlayoffsretailukFri, 26 Feb 2010 06:02:00 -050011|19374088https://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/rebellions-derby-studio-on-the-verge-of-shutting-down/https://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/rebellions-derby-studio-on-the-verge-of-shutting-down/https://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/rebellions-derby-studio-on-the-verge-of-shutting-down/#comments

Echoing grim sentiments made earlier this year, Rebellion Studios' CEO Jason Kingsley recently told Develop that the Derby branch of Rebellion that birthed Lara Croft (previously at Core Design) may not be around for too much longer. "It's quite likely that [the Derby studio] won't be kept intact in the way it did, but that individual consultancy period is not over yet," he said. He's concerned, however, with that fact that "no one has stepped up" to purchase the ailing third branch of Rebellion Studios. "We would obviously like someone to, but no one has done so as yet."

When we reached out to our contacts at the studio, we were unfortunately met with no response as of publishing. Kingsley revealed that Rebellion otherwise is in the "mid-stages" of "two big projects," and reiterates that "nothing's been decided yet" for the Derby offices. As always, if you are a member or representative of the studio in question, don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like to clarify.
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aliens-vs-predatorderbyeconomyfiringjason-kingsleylara-croftlayoffsrebellionrebellion-derbyrebellion-studiosukTue, 23 Feb 2010 15:20:00 -050011|19369951https://www.engadget.com/2009/02/25/vodafone-to-slash-hundreds-of-jobs-in-britain/https://www.engadget.com/2009/02/25/vodafone-to-slash-hundreds-of-jobs-in-britain/https://www.engadget.com/2009/02/25/vodafone-to-slash-hundreds-of-jobs-in-britain/#commentsYet another company has succumbed to making tough choices in the face of a rough economy, as Vodafone is reportedly preparing to lay off "hundreds" of workers in Britain. The report stated that the cuts could come as soon as this week, and while there was no definite number given as to how many of its 10,000 employees would be asked to leave, we do know that the operator is aiming to "boost free cash flow by cutting one billion pounds of costs." Predictably, Voda declined to comment on the report, but it'll probably have to talk soon whether it wants to or not.
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economyenglandjobjob cutsjobcutsjobslay offlay offslayofflayoffsmobileukvodafonevodaphoneWed, 25 Feb 2009 04:23:00 -050021|1470422https://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/free-radicals-fate-decided-this-week/https://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/free-radicals-fate-decided-this-week/https://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/free-radicals-fate-decided-this-week/#comments

If you're like us, then you remember the amazing GoldenEye 007 and those fun TimeSplittersgames (and are trying to forget that Haze one). That's why the ongoing story of UK-based Free Radical touches us so deeply. We were hoping to get a new TimeSplitters game some day!

Now, it looks like we'll know on Wednesday if that's to be, as ReSolve Partners, the restructuring administrator handling this dark time for Free Radical, has revealed that the fate of the company will be announced to one and all on February 4th. Hopefully, somebody ends up rescuing the company, because we'd hate to see Free Radical become permanently affixed to our layoffs tag. ReSolve has said that it's prepared to split up technology, IPs, and other assets if it cannot sell the company as a whole, or if the prospect of a more lucrative sale arises.
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free-radicalhazelayoffsresolve-partnerstimesplittersukMon, 02 Feb 2009 10:30:00 -050011|1447565https://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/thq-mobile-shake-up-leaves-100-staffers-without-jobs/https://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/thq-mobile-shake-up-leaves-100-staffers-without-jobs/https://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/thq-mobile-shake-up-leaves-100-staffers-without-jobs/#comments

True to its word, THQ downsized its wireless division. According to THQ's Brian Farrell, the realignment will see the company "focus only on games for high-end handheld devices," sending around a hundred of its mobile phone staff to the unemployment line.

The company stated plans to "restructure" its European wireless subsidiary earlier this week, though Moconews reports that THQ has also shuttered is San Diego mobile studio in addition to its wireless offices in both the UK and Germany. For now, the company's Universomo studio in Finland will be the hub for THQ's wireless efforts, promising that iPhone users will have all the Worms they can handle for the foreseeable future.

While some may have made their saving throw and dodged the financial axe, others have not been so lucky. GI.biz reports that Electronic Arts cut multiple PR and marketing positions in the UK, leaving some cleaning out their desks and others looking for new jobs within the publishing giant's less crowded halls.

The reductions are the latest to come out of EA's plan to reduce its global workforce by 10%, and follow cuts made to its Mythic, Black Box and Tiburon developer studios. We hate to see anyone lose their job, and wish the best to all those affected. Still, we anticipate they won't have much trouble finding new gigs shoveling coal into someone else's hype machine.
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businesseaelectronic-artslayoffsukTue, 27 Jan 2009 16:55:00 -050011|1442063https://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/report-eas-criterion-bright-light-studios-safe-from-layoffs/https://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/report-eas-criterion-bright-light-studios-safe-from-layoffs/https://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/report-eas-criterion-bright-light-studios-safe-from-layoffs/#comments

At least two studios appear to have sidestepped the torrent of layoffs that have loomed over the game industry in recent months. Develop reports that UK-based Burnoutdev Criterion and Bright Light, Electronic Arts' casual game studio in Guildford, have been given immunity from EA's recent round of layoffs. That sound you hear is a collective sigh of relief.

Staff cuts at EA have been particularly deep, with numerous employees at its Mythic, Black Box and Tiburon branches given their walking papers in just the last week. With news of Bright Light's amnesty, it seems certain that EA is looking to casually dig itself out of its financial hole. Then again, maybe once Criterion gets its time circuits working we can all go back to a time when money was easier to come by.
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bright-lightburnoutburnout-paradisebusinesscriterioneaelectronic-artslayoffsukMon, 26 Jan 2009 08:30:00 -050011|1439029https://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/confirmed-free-radical-lets-over-100-employees-go/https://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/confirmed-free-radical-lets-over-100-employees-go/https://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/confirmed-free-radical-lets-over-100-employees-go/#commentsWell, it would appear all of our excitement over a fourth TimeSplitters game is for nothing, as the rumored layoffs at Free Radical are in fact true. The company has let go of 75% of its workforce, which equals 140 employees. The company, with its remaining 40 people, are up for sale, with several companies showing a "strong interest."

We hope that what's left of Free Radical manages to land somewhere decent, because we've been fans of their work for some time now.

[Via Joystiq]
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developerfree-radicallayofflayoffsukFri, 26 Dec 2008 15:40:00 -050011|1411921https://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/rumor-free-radical-shut-down/https://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/rumor-free-radical-shut-down/https://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/rumor-free-radical-shut-down/#commentsFor those of us who desperately need a TimeSplitters 4 game, this rumor might be a bit hard to swallow. In fact, there's a very real chance you read the headline to this post and went into a murderous rage, destroying your computer monitor and turning your rage on the closest human being. It's okay, it made us feel the same way.

The source of this rumor? Well, apparently the Nottingham, England-based Free Radical studio is in a bit of financial trouble, as GI.biz reports. They say that word has it the doors are locked, phones are shut off, and the team met at a nearby hotel for a "final company meeting." We're hoping this isn't the case, because we're pretty big fans of the studio's work, so we'll update when Free Radical makes a statement.

[Via Joystiq]
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englandfree-radicalfree-radical-designlayoffsukThu, 18 Dec 2008 13:43:00 -050011|1405365https://www.engadget.com/2008/03/20/motorola-getting-ready-to-close-birmingham-design-center/https://www.engadget.com/2008/03/20/motorola-getting-ready-to-close-birmingham-design-center/https://www.engadget.com/2008/03/20/motorola-getting-ready-to-close-birmingham-design-center/#commentsThe Register is reporting that Motorola's outpost in Birmingham, England has officially been placed on death row this week, with its 121 staff ominously being told that they're "at risk for redundancy." We're pretty sure that's code for "we think someone else is already doing your job, but we need to confirm that and get back to you," so in the meantime it seems like a brilliant idea for the so-notified folks to prep their CVs and hightail it outta there. To be fair, Moto is apparently going to start by trying to offer relocation or work-from-home deals for some of the Birmingham peeps, but it seems that it's a best-case scenario. Even worse, the office is a Moto design center; correct us if we're wrong, but we don't think you turn around a struggling phone manufacturer by killing off design, right?
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birminghamenglandlayofflayoffsmobilemotomotorolaukThu, 20 Mar 2008 10:16:00 -040021|1144757